I-play to be acquired by online casual firm Oberon Media
Firms say the result is a 'casual game triple-play'
Online gaming firm Oberon Media has announced plans to buy mobile publisher I-play, in a move that has big implications for the mobile games industry. The idea is to create a multi-platform publisher, releasing games online and on mobile, and capitalising on the crossover.
It's the same strategy that's being tried by RealArcade, which has both online and mobile divisions. Meanwhile, casual games firm PopCap Games' move into mobile is part of a similar trend.
Oberon is describing it as a 'casual-game triple play', as the firm will now be looking to release games online, on mobiles, and through interactive TV services.
As far as mobile goes, I-play will carry on as it has done, with CEO David Gosen continuing to be in charge of Oberon's mobile games business, and the firm holding onto its brands like The Fast And The Furious.
The two firms certainly have stats to back up their belief on the crossover, claiming that 60-70 per cent of casual online gamers are women over the age of 30, while 50 per cent of mobile gamers are women aged 26-34.
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